A/N: Heeeeellllloooo faithful readers! I have some explaining to do. on August 27th, I had my beautiful little boy, and since then I haven't had enough time to pump out a whole chapter in one sitting. I won't bore you with the details of my life as a new mom, but its a lot less interesting than Sera's. Anyways, enjoy this newest chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel, Disney, ABC or the Avengers. Just Sera.


As I landed the Quinjet, I watched a fair few of the bodyguards I knew in Vienna approach the craft. Exiting, I turned over my gun for inspection and let them search my bag. T'Challa watched from inside the hangar as the guards gave me the all clear. Pulling my suitcase behind me, I approached T'Challa slowly. He motioned for someone to take my bag for me, before I stopped in front of him. He gave a nod for the guards to leave him, and I waited until we had a bit more privacy to hug him.

I could feel his anguish through his hug, and I knew he would not cry in front of anyone but his family, so this was all the emotion I would witness for now.

"Thank you for coming," T'Challa said when we released each other.

"Always."

"I'll have your bag sent to your room when we arrive. Shuri is waiting to meet you back at the palace," He said, as I nodded and followed him to the waiting car.

"I wish it wasn't this occasion that finally brought me here to meet your sister," I said.

"I wish the circumstances had been different too. But for now, we give my father dignity about his decision and prepare for the worst."

"And grieve. It is okay to grieve T," I said softly.

"In my culture, death is not the end. It's more of a stepping off point. You reach out with both hands and Bast and Sekhmed, they lead you into the greater elsewhere. Where you can run forever."

"That sounds very peaceful," I said softly.

"My father thinks so."

"When my mother died, I tried to find some meaning in her death. I knew it was coming for almost a year, but refused to believe in a higher power, that she would find 'peace'. But she believed. She didn't believe in God per say, or in any religion, but that our souls were connected in such a way that while I continued to love her, she lived on in me, and in the souls of those she touched. And now, knowing the Norse Gods that I do, I believe her soul rests among the stars, watching over my family."

"I think that it is comforting to believe they are in a better place, but for now, it just hurts."

"And it may hurt for awhile. But you have your sister, your people, who are all grieving with you. And you have our family as well. You're one of us, and we don't leave anyone behind."

"Thank you Sera," T'Challa said as I took his hand in comfort.

When we arrived at the Royal Palace of Wakanda, I was blown away by the giant panther statues carved out of the mountain. I was expecting stone and clay as the main structure. But I wasn't prepared for glass and metal nestled against the mountainside. It was like our base, but much grander in décor. As we walked through the front lobby a lot of heads turned and almost glared at me. As if I was not welcome.

T'Challa cleared his throat, before placing a hand on my lower back. I guess he had to convey I was his guest, because as soon as that happened, the glares stopped and I was suddenly treated with much more respect.

I watched my bag being taken down another hallway as we walked up the stairs, to a part of the palace that I concluded was like their medical wing.

"He didn't want to be in his own bed?" I asked softly.

"They doctors did not want to risk moving him. We have made him as comfortable as possible. Eventually before he passes, we must-"

"T'Challa," A voice said softly as we walked into a room in the medical wing. I looked over to the source of the voice to find a woman that had to be related to T'Challa.

"Sister, this is Sera. Sera, my sister, Princess Shuri," T'Challa said, using his good manners to introduce us.

"It is good to finally meet the woman T'Challa has gone on about so much."

"It's an honor to meet you Your Highness. Though I wish it wasn't this situation that brought us together for the first time. My whole family sends their condolences and prayers to you," I said, giving a small head bow towards the Princess.

"Thank you Ms. Stark. I am glad that T'Challa has a friend and teammate like you, that would be here for our family at such a time," She said, smiling softly at me.

"He honors me with his friendship, this is the least I can do for him and your family."

"Father is awake. He is asking for you," Shuri said. I lingered back as T'Challa made to walk through the doorway to another room.

"Sera, please join me," T'Challa said when he noticed I hadn't followed. I hadn't wanted to assume I was welcome in the room or that T'Chaka was up for visitors. Following silently behind him, I first noticed the lack of machines in the room. A single heart monitor and an IV drip were the only things present. I saw an oxygen mask held loosely in T'Chaka's hand and him smiling softly in our direction.

"Ambassador Stark, a pleasure to see you again," King T'Chaka said, as T'Challa sat next to his father's bedside.

"King T'Chaka," I said, giving a curtsey and head bow out of respect, "T'Challa phoned me with your diagnosis and I got here as fast as I could."

"There are not many like you in this world Sera. Most would only sit at home at wait for news, not fly halfway around the world to be with a dying King's son when he needed her shoulder."

"I'm doing what I wished someone had done for me, when my own mother passed. 'T' needed me. I could hear it in his voice, so there was no option."

"I would rush to my friend, knowing he needed support as well," T'Chaka smiled, "That is what endeared me to you in the first place Sera. You were willing to risk everything to protect Earth, to protect our universe. You risked your credibility, your reputation, your life. That is why I wish our customs allowed T'Challa to marry a foreigner. You would have made a great Queen of Wakanda," T'Chaka smiled as T's eyes went wide.

"I am flattered by your words, but there would still be the matter of my two husbands and children back home," I teased.

"Ah yes, that pesky problem," T'Chaka laughed.

"Father," T'Challa said, blushing lightly. It was funny to see the stoic Prince flustered.

"Relax T, he's allowed to tease you," I smiled.

"Why do you ruin my fun?" T'Chaka smiled, to which I replied, "I am sorry that I speak the truth."

"I assume you've come prepared?" He said sadly, reminding us all of the reason we were in the hospital wing of the Royal palace.

"I wasn't quite versed in your funeral etiquette as I would have liked to be. I wasn't sure what color is appropriate to wear."

"We wear white for the death in the Royal family. Black is the color for our warrior, and none shall wear it when we celebrate his life." T'Challa was quiet after his answer, and I realized this was going to be hard for him.

"Son, may I have a moment alone with Ambassador Stark? Go find your mother."

T'Challa nodded his head, but gave me a puzzled look as he turned to leave the room. I shrugged my shoulder slightly to show him I had no clue why I was given a private audience, but I would find out soon enough.

As the door closed, T'Chaka cleared his throat and gestured to the chair beside the bed. I sat down as ladylike as I could as King T'Chaka spoke, "He is lucky beyond measure for your friendship."

"As I am for his."

"Sera, may I be frank with you?"

"Always."

"He will not show it, but he is ruled by his emotions for more than he lets on. I will not ask of you more than you can give, but-" He stopped to cough, which turned into a fit. I quickly poured a glass of water for him and helped him put his oxygen mask on until the coughing had passed. When it had, he took a long sip and said, "He will need you, as with the rest of your team, for guidance and support. I know my son loves me, and does not wish for the burden, which is about to befall him. But he knows that duty to his people come before his own desires."

"I know a bit of what that is like," I smiled sadly.

"You have been his confidante, and I can not thank you enough for the man he has become with your influence and love."

"You must pester him. He will try to take the brunt of his responsibility alone, as he must, but he will also put his own grief aside. He must be allowed to grieve, and I know he will not if he feels he has to jump right into his duties as King. He will be everyone else's shoulder, but he will not let anyone be his."

"I won't leave him alone. He is my best friend," I said, as T'Chaka smiled.

"I believe you. And I thank you," He said, putting a hand over his heart an inclining his head. I bowed my head in return, "Should I leave you to rest?"

"Just one more thing. It is not uncommon for Princess's to become Queens in our country. But I pray, with the upcoming war for our universe, that you will promise my son's survival."

"Even at the cost of my own life. I do not wish any of my family to die at the hands of Thanos, if I can prevent it."

"That is all I can ask for."

"Your majesty," A doctor said upon entering the room, and bowing in his direction.

"I shall take my leave now. We shall speak again soon," I smiled, bowing my head slightly and standing.

"Yes, very soon Ambassador."

Smiling as I turned, I walked quietly down the hall to find Shuri talking to a member of the Dora Milaje.

"Your Highness," I curtseyed, "Might I trouble you for the direction your brother went?"

"T'Challa asked me to take you into see our tailor to have a dress made for the funeral, and then to your room for a rest before dinner. I hardly get reasons to go into the city, so I jumped at the chance. This way we can get to know each other better," She smiled. I chuckled, "Well, I hope I am sufficient company."

"The Siren of the Avengers as my comanion for the afternoon? We will be the talk of Wakanda before dinner. We shall grab lunch while we are there, give them something to talk about," She laughed, and I realized why T'Challa might not be joining us. For one, he was a man, and even the guys didn't like to accompany me shopping. And he might be readying himself for the inevitable event that he will be King and all that entails.

Shuri was quite the chatterbox, but I didn't mind. She was grateful for my ear and wanted to know all about my life in America and the dynamics of our team. Explaining my marriage was not embarrassing for me, but I could tell she was confused until I noticed her skin flush in realization. She was eager to see pictures of my kids, and wanted to know all about my new baby.

We grabbed lunch at a beautiful café, and the Dora Milaje lingered back in the shadows. The tailor had been an interesting experience. As I had never been fit for clothes before, I was a bit blindsided by the requirements. Shuri wasn't embarrassed as I was measure in my under clothes, and explained what was needed in their native tongue of Xhosa.

I didn't catch any of what she was suggesting, but she assured me that it would be very respectable and flattering to my figure. I, of course held my small bump at that thought. It wasn't really there, but I had taken to being more careful lately and pretending it was there.

"She will have it done by tomorrow."

"Wow, fast service," I commented as Shuri hung up her phone, and the Dora Milaje escorted us back to our transportation.

"Well, we use her for all of our needs. She is the fastest seamstress. We are traveling to Necropolis the following day, so it must be ready in time."

"Necropolis?" I asked confused.

"It is the city in which all Black Panthers go to die. It is where we bury Kings, Queens and warriors. One day, there will come a Black Panther that will be King of the Dead, granted by the Panther Goddess herself."

"That's amazing," I smiled.

Shuri and I got along well on our trip, so much so that we were inseparable for the rest of the day. It felt like my attachment to Daisy, Darcy Wanda or Jemma. Like another younger sister.

T'Challa was annoyed that Shuri was monopolizing all my time that evening, so I politely asked if she could excuse me for the evening; so that I could spend some time with T'Challa.

As we sat in a large sitting room, with one or two servants, T'Challa sighed softly and said, "There isn't much to do around here."

"Well, my mother always said ,"You're a woman with a brain and reasonable ability. So stop whining and find something to do,"" I laughed.

"Isn't that a little insulting?" T'Challa smiled.

"Not in the least. My mother was the tough love type. She nurtured me by making me pursue my passions, and refused to let me quit unless I was sure it wouldn't help me. She let me know my own mind better, and I grew up better because of it. Probably why I am such a well rounded human being," I said sarcastically, shrugging my shoulders. T'Challa laughed once, which made me stifle my giggle. It may not be appropriate to be having fun before the King succumbed to his illness.

"You've hardly eaten," I said, noticing the food set out for us.

"Neither have you," He pointed out with an eyebrow raise.

"I'm not as hungry with this baby. More queasy."

"Is anything appetizing? I can send for different food."

"No, everything I had was wonderful. You have to remember I'm used to American food. Cheese is basically its own food group to us."

"Madam Ambassador, would you like some fruit or cheese and bread?" The butler asked me softly.

"A small plate would be lovely. Thank you…"

"Themba, madam."

"Thank you Themba. I have never been to a household such as this great one. I might embarrass myself by grabbing the wrong fork. I will be looking to you for guidance," I smiled.

"It would be my great honor madam Ambassador. I shall not let you down," He said, putting his fist to his heart and bowing, before leaving the room for the kitchens.

"The staff love you already. We were concerned that they would be rude to you as you are an outsider to Wakanda."

"My sparkling personality," I laughed.

"I don't think so," He teased back.

"Wow, rude!" I said, pushing his shoulder slightly from my place in my armchair.

"You struck the Crown Prince of Wakanda!" He said, sarcastically.

"You're damn right I did. And I will come back here to beat the daylights out of you anytime you need it," I smiled.

"My father-" He sighed, partly in aggravation.

"-knows you better than you know yourself. You feel like you can't grieve when you become king. Remember I'm a therapist, you tell me a lie you haven't already told yourself."

"Okay."

"You promise? Otherwise I'll have to come back and kick your ass."

"I promise, you abusive woman," He laughed.